Abstract: BACKGROUND: The essential components of an effective neuroscience nurse orientation program for those caring for the adult general care population have not been well defined or standardized. METHODS : Using a 2-round, modified Delphi methodology, electronic surveys were distributed to 53 experts in neuroscience nursing orientation to gain consensus on the essential components of orientation for the neuroscience nurse. Survey data included demographics of the expert, literature-based components of neuroscience nurse orientation, and an opportunity to agree/disagree or write in additional components. RESULTS : Round 1 of the consensus survey elicited a response rate of 55% (29/53), and round 2 had a 51% (27/53) response rate. On the basis of round 1 expert responses, 4 new orientation components were added, and 36 components of a neuroscience nursing orientation were revised to include only the elements with ≥75% agreement. Twenty-two elements in round 2 met the criteria of ≥75% very important and important to include as components of a neuroscience nursing orientation. CONCLUSION : An expert consensus was reached on the necessary components of a neuroscience nursing orientation. The identified neuroscience nursing orientation components concentrated on improving nursing practice and provision of care to adult neuroscience patients. This study demonstrates priority components within a standardized orientation program for neuroscience nurses based on literature and expert consensus. A comprehensive neuroscience nursing orientation is a vital step in sustaining high-quality care for patients and improving neurological outcomes.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Sports- and recreation-related concussions impact the cognitive function of secondary school students during the recovery process. They can cause symptoms such as headache, difficulty concentrating, and memory impairment, which pose a challenge for students during the return to learn (RTL) after injury. Concussion management teams (CMTs) assist the student in managing symptoms and develop an individualized RTL process; however, the ideal composition of professionals involved in the CMT has not been fully evaluated. METHODS: A systematic review was conducted to assess current research on CMTs in secondary schools. A search of the databases CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO was conducted using the search terms "concussion management team" AND "school" OR "return to learn." RESULTS: Twenty-four articles were included for review. The CMT structure was highly variable in all studies. Identified themes from the literature were confusion of role definition and function, and communication gaps among interdisciplinary team members. Half of the articles viewed the school nurse as the leader in coordinating the CMT and RTL process. CONCLUSION: Evidence from this review suggests further consensus in this field is needed to clarify the school nurse's role and standardize the CMT structure.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Stroke care partners and caregivers experience emotional and physical burden, and 80% of stroke patients need support after discharge. This study examines the relationship between caregiver preparedness and altruism levels of stroke patients. METHODS: The population of this descriptive and correlational study consisted of the caregivers of stroke patients who were hospitalized at the stroke center of a hospital between January 2021 and August 2021. The sample was determined as 240 with the known sampling formula. The descriptive information form, the Preparedness for Caregiving Scale, and the Altruism Scale were used to collect the study data. RESULTS: The total mean score of the caregivers' preparedness to provide care was found to be 25.04 (7.36), and the mean total altruism score was 85.78 (9.20). The mean score of Donation, which is one of the subdimensions of the Altruism Scale, was 26.67 (4.08), and that of Helping Status was 59.10 (6.92). No statistically significant relationships were detected between caregivers' preparedness to provide care scores, Helping Status scores, Donation scores, and total altruism scores in this study ( P = .241, P = .245, and P = .129, respectively). CONCLUSION: No statistically significant relationships were detected between the preparedness and altruism levels of the caregivers of the stroke patients in this study.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Staffing models within nursing units have long been a hot topic of discussion. The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated this discussion by straining the national nursing environment and workforce. Before the pandemic, the neuroscience intensive care unit (NSICU) primarily used an acuity-adjusted staffing model and aimed for a nurse-to-patient ratio of 1:1.5. During and after the pandemic, the NSICU was forced to primarily use a centralized staffing model because of the increased turnover in the hospital at large and a rise in patient census. METHODS : Unit census data in an NSICU were tracked before, during, and after the pandemic alongside utilization of a centralized staffing model in the hospital at large. RESULTS : During this time, the NSICU saw a statistically significant increase in average nurse-to-patient ratio and incidences of both floating and tripled assignments. The NSICU simultaneously saw a 180% increase in nursing turnover. CONCLUSION : Although we cannot prove that a centralized staffing model is directly responsible for higher nursing turnover, its utilization led to greater incidence of poor staffing-reflected in deviation from the nurse-to-patient ratio goal of the unit. Nurse staffing concerns play a large role in nurse satisfaction in the workforce: staffing shortages have been described both as a precursor to and as a consequence of increased nursing turnover.
Abstract: Background: Delirium is a common and distressing manifestation of acute brain dysfunction that is associated with poor outcomes in various critically ill patient populations. Although patients with acute stroke experience delirium, understanding of delirium in this population is limited. The purpose of this scoping review is to describe existing evidence about delirium and associations with posthospital outcomes after acute stroke. Methods: Arksey and O'Malley's 5-stage framework was used to perform a scoping review. PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE electronic databases were searched. Outcome domains of interest included mortality, cognitive function, physical function, mental health, and quality of life. Full-text, peer-reviewed articles with adult stroke sample populations (acute ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage, subarachnoid hemorrhage) were included. Results: Nineteen articles, involving 5611 unique patients, were included. Most sample populations included patients with either acute ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage. Heterogeneous research aims, methods, and outcome measures limit the ability to compare specific findings across studies. However, included studies suggest higher mortality at 12 months, worse cognition, and greater functional impairment in patients who have experienced acute stroke and delirium. Limited information regarding associations of delirium with posthospital mental health outcomes and quality of life precluded the ability to analyze these relationships and warrants further investigation. Conclusion: This review suggests concerning findings about associations of delirium to posthospital outcomes after acute stroke. Better characterization of delirium after acute stroke and analysis of its impact on long-term outcomes are needed.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Patients admitted to the neuroscience intensive care unit often experience varying states of confusion and restlessness. The purpose of this study was to examine restlessness in acutely confused patients through use of familiar photographs. METHODS : This randomized prospective pilot study placed family photographs (photos) on the bedrail of confused patients during the night shift (8 pm to 4 am ) in a neuroscience intensive care unit. Wrist actigraphy was used to examine restlessness when patients were turned to face the photos versus when they were not facing the photos. RESULTS: The 20 patients enrolled provided 34 nights worth of data during which 32 640 actigraph readings were obtained. On the first night of study, the odds of wrist movement were higher when the patient was facing the photos compared with not (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.42-1.61). During subsequent nights, the odds of wrist movement were lower when the patient was facing the photos compared with not (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% confidence interval, 0.75-0.90). CONCLUSION : Use of familiar photos does not change restlessness, agitation, or delirium on the first night of observation. However, the use of familiar photos may decrease restlessness on the subsequent nights. There are important subjective observations from researchers and family that suggest all subjects had a noticeable response when initially seeing the familiar photos.